Image via Complex Original
It was a big weekend in the English Premier League, with crucial games taking place at the top and bottom of the table. While some of those games proved to be something of a letdown (we’re looking at you, Chelsea and Tottenham), we also saw some great highlights – including a moving show of support for Fabrice Muamba and a contender for Goal of the Season. We’ve selected the top five moments for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.
By Ben Taylor (@benitaylor)
Follow @Complex_Sports
5. Mikel Arteta’s Ferocious Free Kick
Arsenal are peaking at the perfect time. An impressive 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday was their seventh straight win, giving them a three point lead over rivals Tottenham for third place.
The pick of the three goals was Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta’s fierce free kick, a 30 yard hammer of a strike that flew past a helpless Shay Given to seal victory for the Gunners.
4. Newcastle’s Beautiful Counter Attack
Newcastle United moved level on points with Chelsea in the race for European qualification after a comprehensive 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.
In a game that saw Newcastle play some great attacking football, this stunning one-touch counter attack and goal – started and finished by Hatem Ben Arfa – was a highlight.
3. Yaya Toure’s Long Range Strike
It is testament to the quality of Peter Crouch’s volley that nobody is talking about Yaya Toure’s 35-yard piledriver that levelled the score at the Britannia Stadium.
Yes, it took a deflection (if you can call almost taking off a defender’s head a "deflection"), but the fact that the ball still rockets past the flailing Thomas Sorensen in goal shows what a great strike of the ball it was.
Sorry Yaya, better luck next time.
2. Peter Crouch’s Stunning Volley
In our weekend preview, we told you Stoke would be a tough opponent for the millionaires from Manchester City.
What we didn’t predict was that England striker Peter Crouch would score a contender for goal of the season – a fantastic piece of control and a scorching volley from 30 yards that Crouch hit across his body, into the top corner of the opposite side of the goal, to give Stoke the lead.
1. Bolton’s Tribute to Fabrice Muamba
As expected, there were emotional scenes at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium as players, fans, and staff paid tribute to midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who remains in intensive care after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field just a week ago.
While Bolton’s players showed their support for their friend and teammate by wearing Muamba’s name and number on their shirts during the warm up, the entire stadium paid tribute to the young midfielder with a giant mosaic that spelled out "Muamba 6."
